IMMIGRATION PLAN COULD INCLUDE TROOPS

Subcommittee Chairman Calls For Crackdown Along The Border

WASHINGTON -- An immigration enforcement bill that would allow the
president to send military personnel to the border was introduced
Monday by the chairman of the House immigration subcommittee.

The Secure America Act, authored by Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind.,
will be among the measures considered by the Judiciary Committee.

Hostettler's measure is expected to have support from those who want
to crack down on illegal immigration but opposition from those who
want a more comprehensive approach to the problem that includes a
temporary guest-worker program.

House GOP leaders have said they want to enact some immigration
enforcement measure this year. It's not clear yet what specific
measures leadership will support.

Hostettler's bill would:

Require all illegal immigrants caught within 100 miles of the border
to be sent back to their home country within 14 days, under the
expedited removal procedure. This would not apply to those seeking asylum.

Increase criminal penalties for the smuggling of immigrants into the
United States

Give the president discretion to send military forces to the border
to prevent terrorists, drug smugglers and illegal immigrants from
entering the country.

Refuse to grant visas to people from countries that won't let the
United States send back citizens from that country who have been
deemed to be illegally in the U.S.

Create a new Bureau of Immigration Enforcement in the Department of
Homeland Security. This puts into one entity border and interior
immigration enforcement.